Emmerdale star Bradley Johnson says it's right his character, Vinny Dingle, was sentenced to 10 years in prison in Monday's episode, marking his exit after seven years.
With Vinny causing a fatal crash while on his phone, causing the deaths of Jimmy King and Dawn Taylor, Bradley, 29, admits it's his biggest bugbear watching drivers on the road using their devices. Hoping the plot will send a strong message, he says: "Vinny is the last person you'd think of as a criminal, but what he did is wrong and he deserves a prison sentence.
"There are so many accidents you see with people on their phones. It is a sad story, but I hope it can raise awareness that a small mistake can take someone's life."
Bittersweet Departure After Seven Years
In his first exclusive interview since Vinny's exit, Bradley - who was originally signed up for just three episodes in 2019 - admits his departure is bittersweet. He says: "Filming the final scenes was so tough knowing that it was the end of an era for me personally. I cried real tears and the ones involving Mandy [Lisa Riley] were emotional.
"We are great friends and her sobbing her heart out made me sob too."
Last month, Bradley flew out to Nashville for 'an elope wedding' with his partner, Sammie. They got engaged in 2023 on a trip to Rome and are proud parents to son, Albie, two.
Future Plans and Wedding Reflections
Bradley says while it wasn't his decision to leave the show, he's excited for what his future has in store for him. He tells us: "It did come out of the blue. But once they explained it, I understood why it's the right time to close Vinny's story.
"I am a great believer in everything happening for a reason and this feels like one of them. I am going to be 30 next year and I got married last month to Sammie in Nashville. Even saying now 'I am married' feels mad! It was amazing."
Reflecting on their wedding, he shares: "It was just the two of us and we saw it as a honeymoon and elope wedding! We didn't take our son as Nashville is not a place for a two-year-old.
"We had the best time and we hired a soft top Mustang to explore the Smokey Mountains and other areas. That's one thing I've always wanted to do."
Career Journey and Leaving Gifts
Bradford born Bradley first found fame on Gary Barlow's BBC 'Let It Shine' search in 2017 to find a group of men to play Take That in a tour. While he wasn't picked for the group, it wasn't long though until Emmerdale came knocking on his door.
"My life was so different back then," he tells us. "I was living with my mum. Since then and thanks to Emmerdale, I have been able to buy my own house, my little boy was born whilst I've been in the soap and now obviously, I've just got married too."
Bradley had a joint leaving bash with his co-stars Olivia Bromley, Nick Miles and Jack Downham, who all left their roles this year as Dawn, Jimmy and Noah Dingle. On the mementos he took with him, he adds: "I've got Vinny's yellow anorak and glasses. I am also leaving with so many friends for life."
Bradley is full of admiration for his co-star Lisa Riley, who plays his onscreen mum, Mandy Dingle. He says: "She has always been my biggest cheerleader. Since leaving, she has given me so much advice, telling me there is a big world out there and to go and smash it."
Emmerdale airs weekdays at 8pm on ITV1 and STV1. Episodes can also be downloaded on ITVX.
